Aerial camera system and method for identifying route-related hazards

A method comprising:

• generating image data from a camera disposed on an off-board device remotely located from a non-aerial vehicle as the non-aerial vehicle moves along a route, the image data being representative of an upcoming segment of the route relative to a direction of travel of the non-aerial vehicle;
• communicating the image data from the off-board device to the non-aerial vehicle;
• and
• examining, using one or more processors, the image data to identify a hazard disposed on the upcoming segment of the route.

A system comprising:

• a camera configured to be disposed on an aerial device configured to fly above a route remote from a non-aerial vehicle as the non-aerial vehicle moves along the route, the aerial device controlled to fly along a path of the route, the camera configured to generate image data representative of an upcoming segment of the route relative to a direction of travel of the non-aerial vehicle;
• a communication device on the off-board device configured to wirelessly communicate the image data to the non-aerial vehicle;
• and
• one or more processors disposed on the off-board device that are configured to examine the segment of the route based on the image data to identify a hazard disposed in the segment of the route.